While shopping for jewelry can be really fun, it can be difficult if you are not sure how to choose expensive pieces. From silver to platinum, there are many types of material that go into a piece of jewelry, and the cost of each piece varies. Shoppers who don’t know the jewelry industry well often end up spending more than is necessary. These tips can help you be more knowledgeable about all aspects of purchasing jewelry.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. Use a two-sided cloth to simply polish your jewelry as if it were composed of glass. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and reserve the other side for shining it afterward.
Harsh Chemicals
Watch how you store your jewelry when it isn’t being worn. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. Harsh chemicals can destroy the enamel, and ruin the stones in your jewelry.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If a particular piece is not stamped, you should be cautious of its authenticity.
Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” Silver jewelry that lacks a hallmark may be a fake or composed of other metals.
You need to know the type of gem that you are purchasing. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Synthetic gems are grown in a lab, natural gems are dug out of the Earth.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. Go to a dealer you can trust to make sure you get a quality item at a fair price. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide you with a full background of the piece, including where the stones are from and who made it. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. Getting a great deal on beautiful bauble makes getting it even more enjoyable.
If you want to maintain the look of your jewelry, you should prevent it from becoming tarnished. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Water exposure can cause different metals to become tarnished, dull or rusted. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.
When buying jewelry for a one-of-a-kind person, buy them something equally unique. Look for something that fits their personality. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? It will also allow you to test the piece’s durability.
It’s a simple way to turn a plain belt into something more eye catching. Pin it near your hip or your waist’s center.
It is important to think about the most effective methods of jewelry care. Each kind of setting, metal, and stone has its own particular maintenance need. A jewelry cleaner that is safe for one type of gemstone may damage another kind. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
Take extra care when you are untangling necklaces. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Put the tangled necklace onto the plastic wrap, then pour a little mineral oil or baby oil onto the piece. Try using needles to start untangling it. When your necklaces are straight, use dish soap to wash the oil off and pat them dry.
It is easy to find jewelry on sale. If the deal is good, you may be able to save some serious money! Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. You can occasionally get fading fashion styles for a fraction of their original prices.
A diamond’s cut and clarity are often times more important than how big it is. Be sure to consider the type of person that you are presenting the diamond to.
Have a purpose in mind before shopping for jewelry. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Consider specific outfits and styles when making your selections.
That includes dry or steam saunas. The high levels of moisture and heat are very damaging to the jewelry.
You can have a more beautiful diamond if it is cut correctly, as opposed to a diamond of a bigger size. You also need to think about who is going to receive this ring.
A clasp that will hold up is a very important part of any necklace or bracelet. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. A safety clasp should always be used on expensive jewelry. Some opt for two or three clasps on their extremely valuable pieces of jewelry so that they stay safe during wear.
This rule applies to dry saunas as well as steam ones. The reason for this is that the heat and the moisture can taint the jewelry and cause problems.
If you’re going swimming, make sure you take off your jewelery first. Chlorine is a very strong and harsh chemical that can damage and dull your precious pieces. Even ocean swimming is not good for jewelry. The salt is damaging. Take your jewelry off first to keep it from becoming damaged or tarnished.
Whatever type of jewelry you are planning to buy, be sure to research it properly. You will now know the key to success having read this article. Keep this advice in mind in order to save both time and money when buying jewelry.
The high price of gold can interfere with your fine jewelry purchases. Though genuine gold is pricey, remember that it can be more affordable if you consider pieces with lower karats. If gold is described as 18 karat it is not less than seventy five percent pure, this is considered to be the best quality.